DEMARCHE TO BANGLADESH MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

UNCLAS DHAKA 001303 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/PB, SCA/FO, US/UN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT AORC APER BG PGOV PREL UNGA UNGA SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO BANGLADESH MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON UNITED NATIONS HAROMNIZATION OF CONDITIONS OF SERVICE REF: STATE 129988 ¶1. (U) On December 15, PolOff met with the Senior Assistant Secretary from the Americas, Pacific and Counterterrorism wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to encourage support for the U.S. proposal regarding harmonized conditions of service and streamlined contractual agreements at the United Nations. PolOff urged the GOB to support the U.S. proposal instead of either UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon's proposal based on the Special Operations Approach (SOA) or the proposal made to the UN'S Fifth Committee in March. ¶2. (U) The Senior Assistant Secretary responded that the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be sure to fully consider the U.S. proposal. She acknowledged that the United States' concerns regarding recruitment and retention of staff in the field were valid. She also agreed that it was important to consider factors such as career advancement and training opportunities, not merely financial compensation, when looking at low retention rates in the field. Comment -------------- ¶3. (U) The Senior Assistant Secretary was unwilling to commit Bangladesh's support to the U.S. proposal at this time. With only two weeks left in power, Bangladesh's Caretaker Government is a lame duck administration and will unlikely make any decisions in the next few weeks. Bangladesh is scheduled to hold Parliamentary elections on December 29, and a new government is expected to take office in mid-January. MORIARTY